What has the OSPOA done for law enforcement?

Mandatory Training

In 1960, the OSPOA played a very important role in the enactment of legislation requiring training for all law enforcement officers and creating what is now known as the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training or CLEET.

Firearms Training Programs

In 1963, the OSPOA sponsored the First Annual State Pistol Match during its 49th Annual Conference in Oklahoma City. The OSPOA Board of Directors realized the need for firearms training of officers throughout the state and felt that “pistol match competition” just might create the incentive needed for departments to build practice ranges for the officers. The idea quickly caught on and firearms’ training is now a part of their required training mandated by state law. Today, every law enforcement officer in the State of Oklahoma has access to a firearms range somewhere within a short distance.

Peace Officers Memorial

Located at the Department of Public Safety Headquarters, 3600 North Martin Luther King Avenue in Oklahoma City, monuments bearing the names of officers killed in the line of duty, both prior to and since statehood, are standing. A Memorial Service is held on or about May 15 of each year at this site.

Beginning in 1995 the following law enforcement organizations began co-sponsoring this memorial service:

Oklahoma Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association

Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police

Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police

Oklahoma Troopers Association

Oklahoma Sheriffs Association

Association of Oklahoma Narcotics Enforcers

Oklahoma Gang Investigators Association

Oklahoma Game Warden Association

Annual Training Conference

Each year the OSPOA hosts a training conference to allow each law enforcement officer to fulfill his/her mandatory continuing education requirements. All training sessions are certified by CLEET.

College Scholarships

The OSPOA has created a college scholarship program whereby individuals may apply and be considered for approval by the Board of Directors. The Association awards up to five, $500 scholarships each year.

About the OSPOA

TheOklahoma Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association was founded in 1914 and incorporated in 1929. The association is unique among Oklahoma law enforcement because it is open to all branches of law enforcement and associated fields – city, county state, federal and tribal. Not only are peace officers part of OSPOA; private guards and investigators, dispatchers, support staff, security guards and others associated with law enforcement are encouraged to join the historic organization.

OSPOA’s executive board represents the association’s diversity, with members who represent almost every facet of law enforcement. President Bob Smart is retired from Oklahoma City Police Department, while Past-President Jerry Koester is formerly Chief of Piedmont Police Department and currently working at Gary E. Miller Canadian County Children’s Justice Center. Other board members include Christy Yokley, Mike Grimes, Bill Price, Louis Flowers, Steve Emmons, Charles Mackey, Randy Wesley, Shannon Smith and James Wilson.

OSPOA works to promote and advance criminal law and forensic science, while strengthening bonds between law enforcement agencies through mutual assistance and collaboration.

The organization provides death benefits to members’ beneficiaries, as well as training, an annual conference and representation during Legislative sessions, as well as a scholarship program and much more.

What is the Oklahoma Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association?

The Oklahoma Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association is a 501c(3) non-profit organization made up of law enforcement and private security personnel representing all branches of law enforcement including, city, county, state, tribal, federal agencies along with private sector safety professionals.

The primary purpose of the OSPOA is to promote professionalism within the law enforcement and private security professions, to provide training for Oklahoma’s law enforcement and private security personnel, and to promote the highest of ethical and moral standards in the law enforcement and private security professions.

Oklahoma Boards and Committees

The OSPOA, in compliance with State Laws, has representatives to serve on the following Boards and Committees: